Pasture Renovation w/the DK45SE

mark.r · Feb 25, 2008

Well add another "check mark" to the list of thinks I've done with this tractor. I am certain to add a second, larger tractor in a couple years but I have to say this size/hp tractor is a great combination. Long story short, soil test came back this week and needs lots of lime, decent amount fert. and then the seed goes down next month. Southern States is going to do the lime since we need nearly 8 tons. So it was my job to get this one pasture in shape before next week when the guy said it would be the earliest he would be able to spread it. They said I could do the fert. anytime but I won't have time and money to pick it up (I'm doing the fert. myself to save on the deliver charge since that charge alone will pay for my grass seed) until second week of March. Any way here are the before and after pics. It's not perfect and maybe not the "professtional" farmer's way to do things, I had to make do with the implements and tools I had since I wasn't buying/renting anything and I needed to get it done this weekend. Oh yea, the DK never missed a beat.

Before . . .

After . . .

This is the mud I had remove, picture doesn't do it justice.

Highbeam · Feb 25, 2008

Good work. It looks much drier now.

I also have a bunch of 3 board black fence. I have found that it is pretty hard to see in the dark. Sure looks classy though.

mark.r · Feb 25, 2008

Highbeam said:
Good work. It looks much drier now.

I also have a bunch of 3 board black fence. I have found that it is pretty hard to see in the dark. Sure looks classy though.

Yes it is MUCH dryer. I used the dirt from my driveway extension project to fill in the are left from the removal of the mud. Leveled that out with the blade and then harrowed it numerous times with the spike tooth to even it out an break up all the clumps and ruts. Now it will set for the next couple of weeks undisturbed until the lime truck comes to spread lime on the entire property. Hopefully we don't get a lot of rain.

Oleozz · Feb 25, 2008

I'm surprised that you didn't get stuck but the end product sure looks a lot better.

mark.r · Feb 25, 2008

Oleozz said:
I'm surprised that you didn't get stuck but the end product sure looks a lot better.

I haven't been close yet . . . not even with a round bale hangin' from the loader. Although I did have to step on the diff. lock once while over behind the barn.

Highbeam · Feb 25, 2008

I have found that there are two types of mud. The type that has a bottom and is created when water can't run away quickly enough and then the other kind of mud that goes to China created by some underground source of water.

The pictured mudhole seems to have a solid bottom and the animals are likely contributors with their hooves.

mark.r · Feb 25, 2008

Highbeam said:
I have found that there are two types of mud. The type that has a bottom and is created when water can't run away quickly enough and then the other kind of mud that goes to China created by some underground source of water.

The pictured mudhole seems to have a solid bottom and the animals are likely contributors with their hooves.

You sir are correct. The way I see it (and I could be COMPLETELY WRONG) I could have left it alone and let mother nature dry it out. But that would have deemed that pasture completely useless to us as far as grazing until next probably next year. I would have been more or less a holding pen. The only option was to remove the mud down to the hard pack and back fill with good top soil . . . which I just happened to have four huge pile of up by the house. At the very least I can now get it treated and seeded and hopefully having some grass growing in there later this year.